Tsil secrets unraveled

On Saturday, July 26, Common Grounds book group readers gathered to pose questions to author Thomas Fox Averill on his debut novel, The Secrets of the Tsil Cafe.

One secret shared is the original title, “Life Under the Table,” which refers to narrator Wes growing between the two kitchens of his parents. Tom also told the attendees that he “cooked this book before he wrote it.” Every recipe had been taste tested by Tom, an avid cook, before entering the novel. Except for one. The Sweet Habanero Pumpkin Salsa on page 193. It’s a very hot dish, full of pepper heat. Tom said he finally got to try it when he visited an Emporia, KS book group. One of the readers had prepared this salsa and when asked said, “I didn’t think it was hot at all.”

Tom likened the characters in his book to food and the qualities of food: Robert is hot spices, Maria is comforting flavors, Wes is the tomato used in both Old and New world cooking, Juan is the corn.

Finally, Nancy had the courage to ask the one question held over from the previous week’s discussion, had Tom actually cooked and eaten dog and/or guinea pig? Tom laughed, and said, “No.”

Readers looking for their next scrumptious piece of fiction will be rewarded with The Secrets of the Tsil Cafe. And try to make the Gooseberry and Black Bean Enchiladas on page 194.